Sensory Art Appreciation 2007
Research & Development
Community Visual worked with the Hunterian Museum to research a pilot project for adults with profound learning disabilities and high support needs to engage with collections. The project will be devised by three artists from visual art, music and dance.
The inspiration for this pilot began from researching:
PAMIS Multi-Sensory Stories Project & Bag Books, Scotland
MoMA educational projects and multi-model methods, New York
Publication Visual Music Synaesthesia in Art and Music Since 1900,
(exhibition at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington)
This research and publication looks into sensory perception and associations with music and abstract art, light art and performance.
Musical Colours 2006
‘…learning by doing is the most empowering form of learning’
Visual Art and Music – Associations and Differences, SPNM, New Notes, October 1997
The inspiration for this project idea is from the concepts and visual art work from artists such as; Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Oskar Fischinger, El Lissitzky, Aleksandr Rodchenko. The main link to their work and our project is the development of basic and simple language and imagery in order to communicate with individuals who are illiterate and have a learning disability.
We think it is important to create a space whereby individuals feel free to express themselves. However, it is to find the balance between expressive activity (simply doing) and educational value (learning new skills). The challenge with this client group is adding educational value to their creative experience.
A further investigation in a studio space to combine art and music would be benefitual for both artists. It is the aim to translate this learning into a teaching method for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.
We have found that the visual art and music workshops can be used as a research tool to see how individuals interact, communicate, observe and learn. This observation allows us as artists to develop the visual and musical activities tailored to the group. We believe each person has the ability to interact, observe and be part of developing and learning. This project aimed to employ the social model of disability. We have found from previous workshops that the group influence the planning of the project and build on confidence, interaction, engagement in art and music, develop their imagination and have fun and enjoyment.
M Phil in Art & Design in Organisational Context, Glasgow School of Art 2003/04Audrey O'Brien
Abstract
This study explores the nature of communication, practice and relationships specifically between artist and different communities, namely; day centres, supported housing and hospitals. The focus of study is contextualised within the broader framework of the origin of ‘arts’ function in society in relation to cultural history. The observational methods, which are qualitative, involve two case studies in an attempt to understand a complex social experience and happening.
Case study one, Spiegel im Spiegel is a practiced based research, which is descriptive and explorative. The case study involves one individual and myself as artist/researcher in the context of supported housing. This method predominantly examines the creative process of language and communication.
Case study two involves Artlink (Art Development Agency), an organisation who employ artists and volunteers to work with minority groups to access art and cultural activities. This case study attempts to explore how artists from Artlink share the knowledge of their practice with participants in different communities indicated above. This case study was carried out in order to examine individual methods and approaches to contemporary practice by artists within a community-based context. Case Study Artlink also acts as a method to measure Spiegel im Spiegel Case Study in terms of; the quality of artist practice, questioning the concept of art and challenging the role of professional practice.
Consideration has also been given to the professional context, that is, Sense Scotland (a service provider for people who experience sensory impairments, learning disability and physical disability). This organisation works with clients through an arts participatory project called ‘Sensing Art and Music’. The aim of including an analysis of this project within this study is to, compare approaches and outcomes when working with people with a profound learning disability.
Included in this entire research study are relevant theories on conceptual art, community art, communication theory and disability research which have informed the empirical study. Conclusions are based on the two case studies and through the practice of the voluntary organisation. Firstly, revisions on the understanding of collaborative work in a one to one relationship. Secondly, within the context of the voluntary organisations, a unique and individual artists practice is carried through. In Artlink, the artist’s work with individuals to create and define the projects and in the Sense Scotland the organisation defines the artwork and practice by the nature of the project (art or music). This exploration has contributed to a clarification of the nature and function of artist practice and the existence or otherwise of collaboration.